Healthcare providers should evaluate patients in the U.S. for MERS-CoV infection if they meet the following criteria, defined as a Patient Under Investigation (PUI):

Fever1 AND pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (based on clinical or radiologic evidence) AND EITHER:

history of travel from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula2 within 14 days before symptom onset, OR

close contact3 with a symptomatic traveler who developed fever and acute respiratory illness (not necessarily pneumonia) within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula2, OR

a member of a cluster of patients with severe acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever1 and pneumonia requiring hospitalization) of unknown etiology in which MERS-CoV is being evaluated, in consultation with state and local health departments, OR

Fever1 AND symptoms of respiratory illness (not necessarily pneumonia; e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND being in a healthcare facility (as a patient, worker, or visitor) within 14 days before symptom onset in a country or territory in or near the Arabian Peninsula2 in which recent healthcare-associated cases of MERS have been identified; OR

Fever1 OR symptoms of respiratory illness (not necessarily pneumonia; e.g. cough, shortness of breath) AND close contact3 with a confirmed MERS case while the case was ill.

The above criteria serve as guidance for testing; however, patients should be evaluated and discussed with public health departments on a case-by-case basis if their clinical presentation or exposure history is equivocal (e.g., uncertain history of health care exposure).

Background: The annual Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia will take place in 2017 from approximately August 30 to September 4.Healthcare providers should routinely ask patients about their travel history, and evaluate patients for MERS-CoV infection if they have both clinical features and an epidemiologic risk for being a potential MERS case. Providers should immediately contact Public Health at 206-296-4774 about any patient who meets the above criteria.

1 Fever may not be present in some patients, such as those who are very young, elderly, immunosuppressed, or taking certain medications. Clinical judgement should be used to guide testing of patients in such situations.

3 Close contact is defined as a) being within approximately 6 feet, or within the room or care area, of a confirmed MERS case for a prolonged period of time (I.e., caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with, a confirmed MERS case) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection); or b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a confirmed MERS case (e.g., being coughed on) while not wearing recommended PPE.